Tread-piece for boots or shoes.



PATENTED AUG. 2, 1904.

A. H. PRATT.

TREAD PIECE FOR BOOTS 0R SHOES.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 21, 1903.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

N0 MODEL.

No. 766,467. PATENTED AUG. 2, 1904. A. H. PRATT.

TREAD PIECE FOR. BOOTS 0R SHOES.

APPLIOATION FILED NOV. 21, 1003.

no MODEL. 2 sums-sum 2.

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5* M @W 7W? NITED STATES Patented August 2, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

TREAD-PIECE FOR BOOTS.OR SHOES.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 766,467, dated August 2, 1904.

Application filed November 21, 1903. Serial No. 182,129. \No model.)

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Be it known that I, AsnToN H. PRATT, of Chicago, in the county of Cool: and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tread-Pieces for Boots or Shoes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to the construction of the heel tread pieces or surfaces of boots and shoes, and has for its object to provide a structure which will be durable and economical and which will enable the utilization of pieces of sole-leather, while still providing a solid structure.

A particular object of the present invention is to provide a heel comprising a plurality of strips of leather arranged in a manner similar to the strips illustrated in my Patent No. H0311, granted September 29, 1903, but having protecting members particularly adapted to enable the device to withstand the wear and rough usage to which boot and shoe heels are frequently subjected.

To these ends the invention consists in the construction substantially as hereinafter described and claimed.

Of the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a plan view of a heel embodying my present invention. Fig. 2 represents an under plan view of the same. Fig. 3 represents a section on line 3 Z) of Fig. 2. Fig. t represents a perspective view of the rear protecting-plate and the clainmngscrew shown in Fig. 3. Figs. 5 and 6 represent, respectively, a plan view and a longitudinal section of a heel embodying a modilied form of my invention. Figs. 7 and 8 represent, respectively, a plan and side elevation of another modified embodiment of my invention. Figs. 9 and 10 represent, respectively, a plan view and a side elevation of another embodiment of my invention. Fig. '11 represents a detail plan view of some of the metallic parts shown in Figs. 9 and 10.

The same reference characters indicate the same parts in all the figures.

A plurality or series of strips of leather are indicated at u, said strips extending from edge to edge of the heel and being cut from pieces of leather and secured together, so that their edges form the exposed bottom or tread piece of the heel. \Vhile said strips are shown as integral from end to end, it is to be understood that in some instances they may be made of two or more pieces placed end to end and so connected and secured, as hereinafter described, to constitute practically continuous strips.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4, a compound protecting-block at the rearof the heel is composed of the block 7), which may be of wood-pulp, leather, metal, rubber, a wooden block, or other suitable material. To said block L is secured a plate I), as by suitable nails or fastening devices driven through holes I) in said plate. The plate is provided with a flange 6 having a notch U, as clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

A metallic or other rigid protecting piece or strip fitting the breast or front of the heel is shown at c, a screw (1, having a head (5, being passed through said strip 0 and extending through thestrips a and havi ng a screw-threaded inner end passing through the notch b of the plate 7/. A nut locatedin a suitable recess in the block b behind the flange If, receives the inner threaded end of said screw (Z.

As will be readily understood, the compound protecting-block at the rear, comprising the block I) and the plate 7/, is adjustably connected with the protecting piece or strip a at the front or breast of the heel, the screw (Z serving to clamp the intermediate strips (1/ between the rear bloclc and the front strip. This construction provides for a firmly-builtup and durable as well as economical heel, which may be secured to the boot or shoe by any of the means commonly employed or preferred.

The compound block at the rear of the heel may be differently constructed. For instance,

as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, said block may comprise a plurality of horizontally-arranged lifts II, of leather, and a U-shaped plate I), the horizontal portions of which lie between some of the lifts I)", and the whole secured together by nails 7), passing through holes 72 in the horizontal portions of the U-shaped plate. In this form the inner threaded end of the screw (Z is shown as passed through a suitable opening in the vertical portion of the U-shaped plate, the nut d being located behind said vertical portion and between the horizontal portions of the U-shaped plate.

As indicated by the series of small circles shown in Fig. 5, the heel may be provided with suitable nails for securing the parts together.

While I prefer that the front and rear protecting members shall be adjustably connected, I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to such construction. As shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the compound rear block may comprise several lifts 5 of leather, secured to a plate Z2 by means of suitable nails or other fastenings passing through holes 6 in said plate. In this form the plate 6 is shown as integrally connected with the breast piece or strip 0 by means of a strip (2*.

Additional means for securing the strips (0 together, so that they will remain in alinement with each other, may comprise long nails passed through suitable holes in the strips 0 and driven through the strips a, as indicated at 0Z by dotted lines in Fig. 5 and at 6Z5 by dotted lines in Figs. 7 and 8.

I also wish it to be understood that I do not limit myself to making the rear protectingblock a compound one. For instance, it may comprise a plate 5 curved to fit the rear heel, as indicated in Figs. 9., 10, 11, and the.

adjustable connection between this curved plate or block may comprise a rod (Z welded or otherwise secured to said block or piece 5 and extending through the strips (6 and through the front protecting piece or strip 0, a nut (Z being employed to clamp the parts together.

It is to be understood, of course, that the portion Z) of the heel shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4: is a metallic plate and that equivalent parts or members shown in the other forms of heel are also metallic plates. In Fig. 8 the rear plate 6 is integral with the breast piece or strip 0, as hereinbefore described. In all of the other forms of heel shown the protecting piece or strip 0 at the breast or front of the heel is also preferably composed of metal, for the reason that metal is relatively rigid or inelasticas compared with the leather wearstrips, and the said leather strips are more firmly and durably bound together than would be the case if such rigid or inelastic piece or strip were omitted.

Having thus described my invention, although without having attempted to illustrate all the forms in which it may be embodied or to describe the same, I declare that what I claim is 1. As a new article of manufacture, a boot or shoe heel comprising a plurality of strips of leather with their edges exposed to form the tread-face, a protecting-block at the rear, a protecting-piece at the breast or front, and means for connecting said block and piece,

the said front piece comprising a metal plate bearing firmly against the breast of the heel to form a substantial support for the leather strips, substantially as described.

2. As a new article of manufacture, a boot or shoe heel comprising a plurality of strips of leather with their edges exposed to form the tread-face, a protecting-block at the rear, a protecting-piece at the breast or front, and connections extending through the leather strips and secured to the said block and piece, said protecting-piece at the breast comprising a metal plate bearing firmly against the breast of the heel to form a substantial support for the leather strips.

3. As a new article of manufacture, a boot or shoe heel comprising a plurality of strips of leather with their edges exposed to form the tread-face, and front and rear protecting members adjustably connected together and clamping the intermediate strips between them, the said front member comprising a metal plate bearing firmly against the breast of the heel to form a substantial support for the leather strips.

4. As a new article of manufacture, a boot or shoe heel comprising a plurality of strips of leather with their edges exposed to form the tread-face, a protecting member at the rear comprising a block and a plate, the latter having a notched flange extending up in front of said block, a protecting member at the breast or front of the heel, and a screw passed through said member and through the strips of leather to the rear of the notched flange of the plate, and a nut located behind said flange and fitted to said screw.

5. As a new article of manufacture, a boot or shoe heel comprising a plurality of wearstrips with their edges exposed to form the tread-face, an inflexible protecting-block at the rear, a protecting-piece at the breast or front, and means for fastening said block and piece to the said wearstrips,the said front protecting-piece comprising a metal plate bearing firmly against the breast of the heel to form a substantial support for the leather strips.

6. As a new article of manufacture, a boot or shoe heel comprising a plurality of wearstrips with their edges'exposed to form the tread-face, protecting members at the rear and at the breast or front, the said front member comprising a metal plate bearing firmly against the breast of the heel to form a substantial support for the leather strips, and means for fastening said members to the said wea r-strips. I

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ASHTON H. PRATT.

Witnesses:

E. C. CRONKRITE, A. H. GENTNER. 

